The Warren City Council met Monday, Aug. 10, for it’s regularly scheduled meeting. After prayer and the pledge of allegiance the meeting began with the council approving the July 13 and July 28 meeting minutes as submitted. Five council members were present, with Council Member Mosley absent after leaving the meeting because of a family emergency.
The council approved the city’s July financial report. City officials said the city remains within its 2026 budget, although cash flow continues to be a concern.
Officials encouraged council members to closely monitor the city’s cash balances. The council also received information regarding city and county sales tax revenues, as well as a report from Bradley County District Court.
Mayor Gregg Reep reported that a potential buyer has submitted an offer for the potential bio-char facility. The Arkansas Development Finance Authority, or ADFA, owns and controls the building and is currently considering the offer.
Reep also said the city’s grant application for improvements to the city swimming pool is nearly complete and is expected to be submitted to the state within the next week.
Several residents addressed the council regarding proposed changes to the city’s truck routes, particularly plans involving Clingman Road and a portion of Pennington Road.
Jana Mann, who owns a logging company with her husband, expressed concern about how the proposed route changes could affect commercial logging operations. She said she was particularly concerned about large trucks traveling near the Human Development Center and the potential safety risks associated with residents leaving the facility.
Mann also raised concerns about truck drivers relying on outdated GPS information and said additional signage may be needed to ensure commercial drivers can follow designated routes.
City officials explained that the proposed changes would not prevent businesses already located along the existing route from accessing their properties on. Under the city’s truck-route ordinance, commercial vehicles are permitted to use streets necessary to reach their destination.
Carol Little also addressed the council, expressing concerns about truck traffic and the accuracy of route information available through GPS and state transportation maps.
Little said she has observed commercial trucks traveling on roads that are not designated for heavy truck traffic. She urged city officials to work with the Arkansas Department of Transportation and other agencies to address the issue.
Little also expressed concerns about routing heavy trucks near the Human Development Center, pedestrian safety and drainage and road conditions. Mayor Reep stated that he had spoke with officials at the Human Development Center who assured him they were on board with the project and are planning to install fences and gates around their property to ensure the safety of their residents.
Edith Strong addressed the council about economic development and the need to create more employment opportunities for young people in Warren.
Strong said she would like to see more jobs, particularly technology-related positions, brought to the community so young people have opportunities to remain in Warren after graduating from high school or college.
City officials said several existing businesses are currently seeking employees and noted that a new Weyerhaeuser facility is expected to bring approximately 250 jobs to the area.
The council also heard an appeal concerning a proposed mobile home placement. City officials explained that the request had been denied by the Planning Commission because the applicant had not provided proof of ownership for the mobile home.
Building Official Rob Johnson said the title must be provided before the mobile home can be inspected. He explained that the city is also working to update its manufactured-housing regulations to comply with changes in state law.
Officials said future regulations will address manufactured homes, mobile homes and tiny homes, including zoning, setbacks and other requirements.
The council took no action on the appeal and instructed the applicant to provide the required documentation so the property can be reviewed again.
In Departmental reports, Police Chief Hildreth reported that one officer completed police academy training on July 31st with two new officers set to begin training on August 17th. The training program will last approximately 14 weeks.
Council members also asked about a recent traffic interruption involving a Bradley County fire truck that overturned while responding to a fire outside the city limits. No injuries were reported.
The Police Committee also discussed several issues during its Aug. 4 meeting, including feral cats, stray dogs and electric bicycles and scooters.
Council Member Burks-Frazer said the committee is researching options for addressing the city’s feral cat population, including possible discounts from local veterinarians for spaying and neutering and the possibility of participating in a mobile veterinary clinic.
The committee also discussed a request from the city of Kingsland for assistance with stray dogs. Warren officials said they would provide the Kingsland mayor with information about individuals who may be available to assist with animal control services.
Regarding electric bicycles and scooters, Burks-Frazer said the committee learned that riders must follow state bicycle laws. The city plans to publish information about those laws on its Facebook page and educate riders about traffic regulations, including laws prohibiting the obstruction of traffic.
Fire Chief Chuck Moore stated the Fire Department responded to several calls during the month, including multiple responses to the wood chip fire at Warren Timbers that required additional equipment and water trucks. He stated that the company is currently hauling chips away and watering the wood chips regularly.
The city’s Solid Waste Department reported continued collection of recyclable cardboard.
Officials said the city is capable of storing more than 200 bales of cardboard and can wait for favorable market prices before selling it. Officials said cardboard prices can fluctuate significantly, ranging from approximately $45 to more than $200 per ton.
City employees asked residents and businesses participating in the cardboard recycling program to remove plastic, packing materials and other trash from cardboard boxes before placing them for collection.
Officials said contamination creates additional work for employees and can make recycling less cost-effective.
The city also reported collecting junk from 48 residences and yard waste from 24 residences during July. Five inoperable vehicles were also removed.
Officials reminded residents to call the city when they need large amounts of junk, limbs or other materials picked up rather than placing the material in dumpsters.
Building officials reported that permit activity and fees are higher than they were at the same time last year. The city has collected approximately $19,280 in permit fees so far this year.
Officials said insurance requirements have contributed to an increase in permitting and inspections, and additional changes to the city’s permit structure are expected as the city updates regulations that have not been revised in several years.
The council also received an update on efforts to clean up properties throughout Warren.
Officials said the city continues to address properties with excessive debris, abandoned or inoperable vehicles and overgrown grass. Officials emphasized that property owners are responsible for maintaining their property even when they did not create the original problem.
The council encouraged residents to report properties that may be in violation of city ordinances.
Street Department officials reported a difficult month because of staffing shortages. Two employees began work Monday, bringing the department closer to full staffing. One employee remains on medical leave.
The department is working to catch up on street and drainage maintenance.
Officials also discussed the city’s open-ditch drainage system. Because the city has numerous miles of streets with open drainage ditches, the Street Department cannot mow every ditch on a weekly basis.
Officials said the city has begun spraying some ditches to control excessive vegetation. Residents who prefer to maintain the ditch in front of their property themselves can notify the city so the area is not sprayed.
The council also recognized the Arkansas Department of Transportation for resurfacing and addressing drainage concerns near Union Hill Church.
The council approved holding a public hearing at 5 p.m. Aug. 13 to allow residents to identify streets and other areas they believe need repairs.
The public hearing is part of the city’s annual process for gathering information about street needs and prioritizing projects within available funding.
The council also approved a contract with McClelland Consulting Engineers to develop plans for drainage improvements involving Town Branch and the Meadowview area.
Officials said Town Branch has drainage and erosion issues extending through Warren, particularly in areas near the city park and YMCA.
The engineering work will include research, design and development of a master plan. City officials said the project could cost several hundred thousand dollars and that the city is pursuing grant funding to help pay for improvements.
The council also approved a resolution authorizing the city to apply for a Delta Regional Authority grant to reconstruct Clingman Road and a portion of Pennington Road to improve safety and accommodate vehicle traffic, including heavy trucks.
The project would involve both city and county areas. Mayor Reep said Bradley County Judge Klay McKinney supports the project and plans to work with the city on the effort.
Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Wagnon reported on summer activities and improvements at city facilities.
Council members discussed participation in the city pool this summer and noted that more than 120 people attended one day of activities.
The council also recognized recent improvements around the city pool and tennis courts, including new basketball goals and lighting.
Officials said the improvements could provide additional recreational opportunities for young people and potentially support organized activities and games.
Council Member Hooper reported on the city’s sixth annual community-wide back-to-school giveaway, which provided school supplies, clothing, shoes, household supplies and food to more than 200 families.
Hooper credited Council Member Burks-Frazer, community sponsors, the Warren Police Department and other organizations for helping make the event possible.
The council also approved the design for decals that will be placed on most city vehicles, as well as a matching city pendant. The design was created to correspond with the city’s new flag.
Hooper also reported that renovations at the Old Street Shop are progressing. The city allocated $2,500 for the mural project, but the committee completed the mural under budget for $2,250.
The mural was unveiled July 23 and was created by Warren School District teacher KeyAira Brown. Council members said the project has received positive feedback from residents.
Officials hope to continue renovations and eventually make the facility available for rental, with a goal of having it ready by early 2027.
The Ways and Means Committee recommended approving tenure bonuses for eligible city employees.
The council approved a total of $13,403.17, including $10,900 in bonuses, $833.85 in FICA and $1,669.88 in retirement contributions.
The committee also discussed the city’s cash position and potential sources of future revenue.
Council members agreed to meet as a committee of the whole to discuss possible revenue options, including whether to pursue a package-store proposal or place a sales-tax measure on the ballot.
Meetings were tentatively scheduled for Aug. 25 and Sept. 22 to discuss potential revenue sources and involve community members and organizations in the process.
The council approved the reappointment of Nick Mann and Herman Phillips to the Planning Commission for three-year terms.
The council received a proposal for a new telephone system for City Hall, the police department and fire department. No action was taken on the proposal. The matter was referred to the Ways and Means Committee for further review and comparison with the city’s current telephone expenses.
In other announcements, the Municipal Building will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. There will be no garbage collection that day.
Following approval of the July bills, the meeting was adjourned.
The next Warren City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 14, at 5:30 p.m.
